First Nations Workforce & Development Lead

Victorian Government; Melbourne; On-site; AUD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Salary packaging

Wellbeing program

Onsite childcare

Public transport access

Job summary

Austin Health's First Nations Health Unit seeks a dedicated First Nations Workforce & Development Lead to advance reconciliation, cultural safety, and Aboriginal workforce development. You will oversee recruitment, onboarding, retention, and career development for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staff across the employee lifecycle.

In this pivotal role, you will mentor staff, implement the Aboriginal Employment Plan, build relationships with Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations,

Qualifications

• Experience in designing and delivering culturally safe workforce initiatives.
• Strong understanding of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural values and employment barriers.
• Ability to mentor, coach, and support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander employees across all career stages.

Responsibilities

• Lead culturally safe recruitment, onboarding, and retention strategies for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staff.
• Support implementation of the Aboriginal Employment Plan and Cultural Safety Plan.
• Provide mentoring and career development support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander employees.
• Build relationships with Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations and community stakeholders.
• Collaborate with internal teams to embed cultural safety into workforce practices and policies.

Skills

Cultural safety

Stakeholder engagement

Mentoring

Communication

Job description

Austin Health is the major provider of tertiary health services, health professional education and research across three campuses in the north-east of Melbourne and statewide. We have a highly engaged, diverse and collaborative workforce that is unified by our goal to help people live healthy and fulfilled lives.

About the First Nations Health Unit

The First Nations Health Unit is a strategic division dedicated to improving health, wellbeing, and cultural safety for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. It leads key initiatives such as the Cultural Safety Plan, Aboriginal Employment Plan, and oversight of the Ngarra Jarra Aboriginal Health Service. The Unit works closely with People & Culture to embed cultural safety across workforce practices and strengthen engagement with Aboriginal communities and stakeholders.

About the role

The First Nations Workforce & Development Lead plays a pivotal role in advancing Austin Health’s commitment to reconciliation, cultural safety, and Aboriginal workforce development. This identified position provides end-to-end support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staff across the employee lifecycle — from attraction and recruitment through onboarding, retention, career development, and progression.

A regular day will see you:

• Lead culturally safe recruitment, onboarding, and retention strategies for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staff.
• Support implementation of the Aboriginal Employment Plan and Cultural Safety Plan.
• Provide mentoring and career development support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander employees.
• Build relationships with Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations and community stakeholders.
• Collaborate with internal teams to embed cultural safety into workforce practices and policies.

About you

You are passionate about creating culturally safe and inclusive workplaces and have a strong commitment to improving health equity for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. You bring excellent communication skills, the ability to build trusted relationships, and a collaborative approach to your work. Your energy, drive, and commitment to continuous learning will help you thrive in this role.

You’ll further bring with you:

• Experience in designing and delivering culturally safe workforce initiatives.
• Strong understanding of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural values and employment barriers.
• Ability to mentor, coach, and support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander employees across all career stages.
• High-level interpersonal and communication skills to influence and engage diverse stakeholders.

Working at Austin Health means enjoying a strong sense of purpose, engaging in meaningful work every day. Our people also receive a variety of rewarding benefits, including:

• Greater take-home pay through generous salary packaging, for living expenses, meals, and holiday accommodation.
• A suite of wellness initiatives designed to support you, including discounted fitness memberships and special offers on health insurance, and a comprehensive wellbeing program.
• Onsite childcare at Austin Hospital, easy access via public transport and car parking options.
• Mentoring and career development opportunities.

Work with us!

We are committed to cultural safety and health equity for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander People. We celebrate, value, and include people of all backgrounds, genders, identities, cultures, bodies, and abilities. We welcome and support applications from talented people identifying as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander, people with disability, neurodiverse people, LGBTQIA+ and people of all ages and cultures.

If you feel this role is right for you, we encourage your early application. Even if you don’t meet every single requirement, we encourage you to apply. What matters most is your passion, your drive and your willingness to learn and contribute. Applications will be reviewed as they are received, and interviews may take place prior to the closing date. This means we reserve the right to close a job ad prior to the advertised closing date.

All appointments are made subject to a satisfactory National Police Check and if required, a Working With Children Check. Austin Health is a child safe organisation, committed to upholding the rights, safety, and wellbeing of children and young people in line with Child Safe Standards. If you require any reasonable adjustments to the recruitment process, you are welcome to reach out to the hiring manager: Sarah Joyce, Director - First Nations Health at [e-mail]

Applications close Monday 30 November 2026 at 11.59pm